Vacuum-tube socket



. April 7, 1931. v. G. APPLE VACUUM TUBE SOCKET Filed June 14 192 I 11v VENTOR w 2W Patented Apr. 7, 1931 PATENT OFFICE VINCENT G. APPLE, OF DAYTON, OHIO VACUUM-TUBE SOCKET Application filed June 14, 1928. Serial No. 285,356.

My invention relates to that type of socket which includes in its structure four conducting members, insulated from each other each adapted to join and convey current from a terminal of the tube to a binding post or other terminal on the socket suitable for holding wires leading thereto.

Sockets of this character as heretofore constructed usually employ as conducting members a series of flexible blades extending from the binding posts toward the center of the socket, the ends of said olades being positioned to contact the tube terminals, the tube being inserted in the socket so that its terminals depress the blades, making spring contact therebetween, a means being provided to maintain said spring contact after it is manually made.

Considerable annoyance has been experiso enced by users of these sockets because the contact springs so exposed get corroded or bent and fail to make proper connection, and

it is an object of my invention to provide a socket havmg more effective means to insure l5 and maintain electrical connection between the tube terminals and the binding posts.

I attain this object by a structure illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherem Fig. 1 is a plan view of a socket embodying my im roved features, the socket having a metal s ell for positioning the tube; Fig. 2,-

an elevation of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a plan view of a socket similar to that shown in Fig. 1 except that the insulating material forming the base extends upwardly to replace the metal shell; Fig. 4 an elevation of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a. plan view of still another form of socket embodyin my improvement; Fig. 6, an ele- 0 vation of Fig. 5; Fig. 7, a detail of the shell used in Fig. 1; and Fig. 8 a detail of the conducting member common to the several embodiments shown.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts thruout the several views.

The socket shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a base 10 of molded insulating material, a tubular shell 11 of metal, shown in detail in Fig. 7, four contact members 12 shown in detail in Fig. 8, and four contact screws 13. The contact members 12 are preferably stamped from sheet metal to the form shown, where U shaped seats 14 are provided wherein the tube terminals may extend. Eyes 15 having threads tapped therein provide bearings for contact screws 13, and arms 16 terminate in tapped eyes 17 for holding binding posts or binding screws. The shell 11 may be made of tubing, notches 18 being cut at four points to clear and prevent electrical contact with members 12, and another notch 19 being cut to receive the locating pin usually provided on standard tubes. In cutting notches 18 portions of the metal ma be bent as at 20 to form hooks which wil securely anchor the tube in the molded base.

To produce the socket shown in Figs. land 2 the shell 11 and members 12 are preferably assembled in a mold in their correct relative position, the shell being located by the notch 19 and the members 12 by pins in the mold which enter seats 14 and eyes 15 and 17. To insure more rapid operation of the molding process, I may defer the threading of eyes 15 and 17 until after the molding is done, since thus these eyes may be supported on smooth pins in the mold from which the finished article is more readily removed. The tapping may then be done after the socket is removed from the mold. Holes 21 are provided thru which screws may extend to mount the socket on a panel or other support, or, screws of sufficient length may extend downwardly thru eyes 17 and thru the panel to act as a fastening means for the socket, in which case the wires leading to the socket may, if desired be underneath the panel.

The contact members 12 when imbedded in insulating material as described are not readily displaced and the screws 13 may be individually tightened to insure adequate contact with the tube terminals.

The socket shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 except that instead of using the metal shell 11, a shell 22 of insulating material is provided by making space therefor in the mold so that the socket consists of a one piece molding comprising a base and shell with contact members 12 molded therein in a manner and for the purpose previously described. The socket shown in igs. 5 and 6 is similar in construction to those shown in Figs. 1 to 4: inclusive except that it eliminates the shell 11 01'22 entirely.

To insure correct location of the tube terminals in this socket one hole as at 23 is made larger than the rest, and a tube is used whereof one terminal post is of larger diameter than the others. Such a tube may be provided by placing a length of metal tubing over one of the tube terminals and soldering or otherwise fastening it in place, or, the tube may be specially made with one terminal larger than the others, or, when-the tube is specially made to suit the socket I may provide against mislocation of the tube in the socket by making different terminals of the tube of diflerent shapes, or of the same shape each said holeiland a cylinder of metal ada t hand.

VINCENT G. APPLE.

and differently spaced, and the holes in the socket will be correspondingly shaped or spaced.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A conductive member for a vacuum tube socket consisting of a single sheet metal stamping bent to form a pocket for a tube terminal pin, an opening for a line terminal screw spaced axially from and parallel to said pocket, and an opening for a tube terminal pin clamp screw having its axis at right angles to, and passing through, the axis of the tube terminal pin pocket, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A conductive member for a vacuum tube socket consisting of a single sheet metal stamping comprising two axially parallel spaced apart openings, one tapped for a line terminal screw and the other plain for a tube terminal pin, and a tapped opening for a tube terminal pin clamp screw having its axis at right angles to and passing through the axis of the said tube terminal pin opening, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a vacuum tube socket, a plurality of conductive members each comprising an integral member shaped to form two axially parallel spaced apart openings, the one tapped for a line terminal screw and the other plain for a tube terminal pin, and a tapped opening for a tube terminal pin clamp screw having its axis at right angles to and passing through the axis of the said tube terminal pin opening, and a base of insulation molded in situ about them.

4. In a vacuum tube socket, a base of molded insulation having imbedded therein in suitable spaced apart relation four conductive members each comprising an integral member shaped to form two axially parallel spaced apart openings, the one tapped for a line terminal screw and the other plain 'for a tube terminal pin, and a tapped hole for a tube terminal pin clamp screw having its axis at right angles to and passing through the axis of the said tube terminal pin opening, four tube terminal pin clamp screws one in 

